The theatre will also present The Tempest, a co-production with American Repertory Theater staged as a travelling tent show, and David Ives' Tony-nominated two-hander Venus in Fur. Peter and the Starcatcher, the prequel to Peter Pan, will be performed, along with Matthew Lopez's award-winning play The Whipping Man.
"South Coast Repertory’s 2014-15 season features sparkling new productions by some of the most talented theatre-makers in the world," artistic director Marc Masterson said in a statement. "We have innovative re-imagined classics — Shakespeare’s The Tempest, seen through the magical lens of Teller (from Penn and Teller), and Kneehigh’s Tristan & Yseult — and fresh new plays that will soon move onto the world stage. This season will have something for everyone."
The season-at-a-glance follows.
Segerstrom Stage: 5-Play Season
The Tempest
By William Shakespeare
Adapted and directed by Aaron Posner and Teller
Songs by Tom Waits and Kathleen Brennan
Choreography by Matt Kent, Pilobolus
Aug. 29-Sept. 28
"Transformed onstage into a travelling tent show, this is The Tempest unlike anything you — or the Bard — ever envisioned! As the wizard Prospero plots revenge on the enemies who banished him, the exuberant epic takes on a new life — thanks to the music (by the inimitable Tom Waits and Kathleen Brennan), the magic (by Teller, of the legendary Penn and Teller duo) and the movement (by Pilobolus)." Zealot
By Theresa Rebeck
Directed by Marc Masterson
Oct. 17-Nov. 16
"Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The British consul pours tea for the American undersecretary of state, avoiding her questions — with answers to ones she hasn't even asked. In the street below, a group of Saudi women set in motion a carefully-planned protest. The results are devastating enough to ignite a battle of wills and wits — now that a life hangs in the balance."
Kneehigh's Tristan & Yseult
Adapted and directed by Emma Rice
Writers: Carl Grose and Anna Maria Murphy
Jan. 23-Feb. 22, 2015
"A cabaret band plays high above the stage as this classic myth about star-crossed lovers unfolds. King Mark is victorious in battle, and Yseult is destined to be his bride. But when he sends Tristan to bring her back, trouble begins. It's played out with wild exuberance — and a touch of Tarantino — by Kneehight."
Of Good Stock
By Melissa Ross
March 27-April 26
"Growing up as the three daughters of an acclaimed writer was cool, until he got really famous — and emotionally distant. But the girls adjusted. Years later, the men in their lives face their own challenges. It's not easy keeping up with the smart and very funny Stockton women, especially during a weekend of dramatic encounters — and surprising confessions. But good scotch helps. And, in the end, what matters is family in this new play."
Peter And The Starcatcher
By Rick Elice
Based on the novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson
Directed by Art Manke
May 8-June 7
"They call him Boy, the orphan without a name. One day he's whisked onto the good ship Neverland, and the century-old legend of Peter Pan gets its hilarious, exhilarating and wildly imaginative prequel. Sail with us across the seven seas as Boy becomes Peter in a swashbuckling tale of yesteryear, infused with pop culture imagery of today."
Julianne Argyros Stage: 4-Play Season
Venus In Fur
By David Ives
Directed by Casey Stangl
Oct. 5-26
"Auditions are over for the day, and Thomas still hasn't found the perfect actress for his adaptation of a 19th century erotic novel. [Thunder clap!] Vanda stumbles into the bare rehearsal studio, soaking wet and hours late. Before he can stop her, Vanda strips down to saucy lingerie, wiggles into a white period dress, and mysteriously — hilariously — becomes the elusive leading lady. But the battle for sexual dominance that follows is not limited to the script. Adult content."
The Whipping Man
By Matthew Lopez
Directed by Martin Benson
Jan. 4-25
"The Civil War has ended, leaving destruction in its wake. As a raging storm illuminates what's left of a once majestic plantation home, three Jewish men prepare for Passover — the owner's son, and his family's former slaves. Only one of them, Simon, remains strong in his faith, but it is threatened with truths about what happened in this house — and in their lives — during its antebellum days. Stage and television star Charlie Robinson plays Simon in this Obie Award-winning drama."
Mr. Wolf
By Rajiv Joseph
Directed by David Emmes
April 12-May 3
"Theresa is 17 years old, and she can map out the solar system. She understands the universe — how and why it came to be. She has a man named Mr. Wolf to thank for that. Now the only life she has ever known is coming to an end. She's being taken away — turned over to people who are strangers to her. They can't possibly understand her needs, when they seem to be lost, too. And they're all asking the same questions: What is home? Where do I belong?"
Theatre for Young Audiences' season will include Charlotte's Web (Nov. 7-23), The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane (Feb. 6-22) and Oz 2.5 (May 22-June 7). A holiday production of A Christmas Carol will play Nov. 29-Dec. 26.
An additional production running March 8-29 will be announced at a later date.
Visit scr.org for more information.
